yes, my dad's company paid for a great deal of the trip so that was good. Plus, we got very good service there because my dad works there. We had a driver with us, and a secretary from my dad's office to show us around and translate for us when needed. It's really helpful because it's a huge place and no one speaks english... it would be really hard to get from place to place without someone who could help us

and ordering food is a big risk there if u dont have someone who knows the menu :P

 

 

china is really different from western countries, it opened up to the west about 15 years ago... but considering that it's actually very devoloped. I mean u see the skyscrapers in Shanghai (although shanghai was opened earlier), but beijing is also quite devoloped as well.... the ppl behaviour is quite different. But i feel that in any foreign country

on thing that's strange is that they dont have diapers. Toddler's clothes just have a hole in the ass and when nature calles they just do it in the middle of the street :stunned:

i dont get that

^^:uhoh: Ugh!

well... the streets are actually clean

they only do no. 1 in the street and for some weird reason the streets dont smell like urine... when no.2 comes they do it on a newspaper and then they throw it away :thinking:

 

oh and the spit alooooooooooooot

Wow....that's gross. >_<

wow... lucky you! You must have had a great journey with all the luxuries, huh?!

I know it's hard to go to a new country and behave as a citizen, y'know, and even more if this country is so different than yours (anyway, I did this last summer and I had success, but actually, I visited countries similars to mine). I thought they were able to speak English, 'cos it's the universal language... or at least this is the idea that I've always had. :uhoh:

 

Yeah, I knew they lived in a quite developed country beforehand, they've created some great news gadgets and curious things, and afterwards, these things come to our countries (sometimes).

 

Concerning to the nappies question... OMG! That made me laugh so much while reading it! I don't get it either. Just when they hear the "nature's calling" WOHOOO! hahaha, it must be quite awkward to have a shit in the middle of the street and pretty dirty. :laugh4:

it was nice having them treat my dad like the big boss :D But i think it just has something to do with their culture, they have really good work ethic. Like they were never late and they were very generous. We had dinner with my dad's co workers... they're all very nice

 

some of them do speak english, but not very good. Plus, they're reallly hard to understand. They cant say "r" so they say "l" instead. Like "No Ploblem" or fluits instead of fruits... loot instead of root

it's quite funny

as much as english is considered "international" i find that in many places in europe ppl dont know any english.... it's a pride thing in some of the places

 

where did u go last summer?

 

oh and about the gadgets, we have tons of things here that say "Made in China" as well :P Everything there is so cheap because they dont have to import anything

and because they don't pay people as much

and because they don't pay people as much

 

cause their whole economy isnt too good

 

but there are very big financial differences between ppl- either really rich ppl or really poor ppl... which is weird since it's a communist country

It's always good to feel important and even more in another country... 'cos in fact it's one of those moments that you need it the most, 'cos you may feel lost :smug:

Yeah, I've heard they're very respectful with other ppl. ;)

 

You know what? There're several chineses here and they also have the same problem with the letter "r", they always say "l" instead of r but as you said, I find it funny and not too important, imo.

This is true... and in some countries ppl know the basics of this language although they can't really write or talk it 'cos their level is pretty poor. I must admit this happens a lot in my country (I'm not proud of it at all! :( )

 

I went to several places. I bought an Interrail ticket of 2 zones: France and UK and I went to Paris, London and Glasgow / Edinburgh. I was really looking forward to go to Lon 'cos I idealized that place, y'know... and I wanted to know if all what I imaginated of it was real... or only my imagination, that worked too much. That trip made me learn a lot and finally I got a surprise, that I didn't expect, as well.

 

Oh, same here..we also have loads of things that put "made in China". Seems that most of things are made there! :lol:

was london a good or bad surprise?

 

when i went to europe it wasnt like china. Israeli culture is different from european culture, however, it is mostly influenced from the west... so it's not that different... however China was completly different

if to us, spitting is not polite than to them it's normal, neither is eating with your hands

but if u pass food from your plate to someone else's plate then that's impolite, or if u share the bill

they just have a different way of looking at things, i think it's refreshing

 

 

here everyone learns english from grade 2 until grade 12... but the problem is, like u said, that many times ppl learn to pass the test and not to really use the language. So some ppl dont really know english, only the basics. But thanks to american TV shows and music ppl here get their english better... i think a tousit here will manage :D

It wasn't as good as I expected, let me explain.. I spent in London 7nights and we wanted to visit the most interesting places since the first days - but the problem was we had bad days, 'cos it was raining almost all the time and we had to take the umbrellas with us everyday and the weather was so damn cold - it was summer, but seemed to be even winter (you also have to think about something else, I got that impression 'cos here in my country the weather is really good, we used to have warm days...). So, suming it up, first 4 days was raining all the time and we did most of the visits, and then, the other 3 days were better luckily... but I think my problem was that I expected too much.

My real surprise was Scotland! :nice:

 

Sure it's refreshing. We can learn of them some of the things they do...

Anyway, Israeli culture isn't that different ... I mean you're more in the middle (I dunno how to express it better) but spain, for example, is really occidental.

 

Exactly, that's the main problem. They learn it 'cos they have to do it but not 'cos they feel like learning English.

Oh, yeah, thanks to music bands like Coldplay we are here!! :)

 

 

EDIT: I'm gonna post a beautiful picture I took on Trafalgar Square. I'm sure you'll like it... it's magic. :D

 

 

I have it on my desktop!

lol...

 

well i understand what you're saying about israeli culture. It's really influenced from europe and the US... and when it comes to cultural things like the eurovision and sports we're part of the europe. But geographically we're far, so we're also influenced by the middle eastern arab culture. Maybe like Turkey....

 

about london, i was there in september. I think the thing about london, and the UK in general, is that it's kind of... overrated (i hope no one feels offended). But there's something about london that everyone thinks it's a great place to be, great ppl etc. But when i was there it was nice, but not so nice... other places in europe were alot more appealing like Italy for example.

 

and the weather there really is bad.... mediterranean climate is the best

Did you see the pic?! <I edited my last message>

 

Yeah, exactly, that's what I meant. You have some mixtures concerning to the cultural things, maybe not a clear one. I was in Turkey and it's said they're the most open-minded country of the Arabic ones and moreover, geographically, a very little bit of Turkey "belongs" to Europe. Perhaps sth similar happens to Israel... anyway, you're the one who knows it clearly, though, 'cos you live there! :wacko:

 

It's overrated, that's true, but specially London. Everyone keeps on talking about that city and ppl get their ideas and think they're true 'til they go there and see they are not that true, not so nice. Italy... haha, yeah, they're latins and so open-minded and cheerful, maybe its good weather helps, I don't know!

 

I have to go now. My bed is calling my name :laugh4: and i don't want to delay it!!!! Good night!!! :kiss: it was nice to talk to you!

bye... good night :kiss:

 

 

that picture is really great, when i went to trafalgar square there were no pigeons :thinking:

i think london disappointed me alittle because everyone thinks it's all that and then u go there and it really isnt so specail.....

and i think israeli culture, if anything, is kind of... american. Not really european... But definetly more western than not... but there are many parts in our culture that are influenced by our arab neighbours. Like music and food

coldplay_steph, bibou_89 & crazyduckette at dinner this evening in London. :nice:

 

 

aka Steph, Ophelie & Kara.

The three of you look stunning :nice: awsome pick

Thats a lovely pic steph! :nice:

coldplay_steph, bibou_89 & crazyduckette at dinner this evening in London. :nice:

 

 

aka Steph, Ophelie & Kara.

 

I missed Ophelie's pics!!! you 3 look great!!! ;)

Aww, that's a very cute one of you three!! :nice: What trouble were you girls up to? :sneaky:

Cuties.

cause their whole economy isnt too good

 

but there are very big financial differences between ppl- either really rich ppl or really poor ppl... which is weird since it's a communist country

 

It's the same in all communist countries.;)

coldplay_steph, bibou_89 & crazyduckette at dinner this evening in London. :nice:

 

 

aka Steph, Ophelie & Kara.

 

:blush:

coldplay_steph, bibou_89 & crazyduckette at dinner this evening in London. :nice:

 

 

aka Steph, Ophelie & Kara.

 

 

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww......and again three members together on one pic...veeeeery nice...:nice:

^ mmmm. we should have an aussie version. i will have to meet up with caz at big day out ...

 

great photo girls! how was dinner btw?

hahaha that would be funny as!!! hey and annie can come down from Horsham!